The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark for AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related logistics and program support, valued at an estimated $215.5 million, according to a sales notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA).
Denmark has requested the purchase of eighty-four (84) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and three (3) AIM-120 AMRAAM guidance sections.
The package also includes non-major defense equipment such as spare AMRAAM control sections, containers, support equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair and return support, weapons software, transportation support, classified publications, technical documentation, studies and surveys, as well as engineering, technical, and logistics support services from the U.S. Government and contractors.
Here’s the full notice, for those of you interested in such things.
“WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $215.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Denmark has requested to buy eighty-four (84) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and three (3) AIM-120 AMRAAM guidance sections. Also included is the following non-MDE: spare AMRAAM control sections; containers and support equipment; munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; weapons software and support equipment; classified software delivery and support; transportation support; classified publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $215.5 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring it has modern, capable air-to-air munitions. The sale will further advance the already high level of Danish Air Force interoperability with U.S. Joint Forces and other regional and NATO forces. Denmark already has AMRAAM in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Denmark.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department’s Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, [email protected].”
The C-8 & D & D-3 & C-8+. I know why it looks this messy; because congress wont approve a new “version” of AMRAAM so instead we call them stepping’s this one being he 8th of the C or a D-3 WTF 🙁 If we were using normal nomenclature the we’d be on the J by now. They went A to B because of live programmable ICs, The C to C-8 are totally different missiles. Getting a headache 🙂
Congress has already approved the AIM 120-C’s successor – the AIM 260, a classified program so no one outside the classification knows its real status. The US has furnished Ukraine a large number of AMRAAM missiles from its war time stocks and it will take years for the US to replenish those stocks. The AIM 260 will take 40 months to get into full production. Congress has legitimate concerns. Everything is a trade-off.
That’s a package cost of over $2.5 million per missile! Bloody hell, if you ever fire one don’t miss!
Yes, expensive. Though you have to consider the cost of the aircaft targeted which can be 10++ times more than the missile cost; plus the cost of the aircraft/other forces/infrastructure & civilian lives saved by stopping the enemies mission.
So most of the time they’d be very economical.
I’m surprised by the price of AMRAAM.
It’s chuffing expensive. Meteor surely better value now and has greater range and superior terminal guidance.
Our stocks of advanced Air to Air missiles need to be kept up so the RAF can shoot down as many enemy aircraft as present themselves. Hopefully thousands of ASRAAM, AMRAAM and Meteor are in stock.
You’re cloning yourself if you think new production meteor is any cheaper.
They won’t last long in war.